A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

we may grow insensible, as a plant doth: The step from sin to grace, is a work of greater difficulty and power, then to go on from grace to grace; as the Apostle maketh it a matter of more ease to save a Saint, then to gain a sinner, Rom. 5. 8, 9, 10. and therefore degrees cannot be alike sensible as change of state. The Apostle speaking of the first conversion of the Thessalonians, he saith, 1 Thes. 1. 9. Ye know what manner of entering we had unto you. The first approaches of Gods Power and Word to the Soul, as they meet with more opposition, so they cannot but be more sensible, and leave a greater feeling upon us: It were strange if an Almighty Power should work in us, and we no way privy or conscious to it, and all done as in our sleep; to think so, were to give security a soft pillow whereon to rest, and to suffer men to go away with golden dreams, though they feel no change in themselves, pleasing themselves with the supposition of imaginary grace wrought without their privity and knowledge. I would not press too hard upon any tender Conscience; I do foresee the Objection that may be made, namely, That if Calling giveth such a sensible experience of the work of grace, how cometh it then to pass that so few of Gods children have assurance or any sense of their conversion? I answer, 1. It is possible Gods Power may work in us, and we not be sensible of it; there is a difference between our outward and inward senses: we may lose our spiritual feeling; ⟨p. 17⟩and inward sense doth not so clearly discern its object, because of the way in which God conveyeth his power; it is strong, but sweet; like the influences of the Heavens, of a great efficacy, but scarce discerned: as there was a great power wrought in the Ephesians, but they did not discern it so sufficiently, Ephes. 1. 18, 19. 2. It is the fault of Gods children not to be sensible of the power that worketh in them; sometimes it is their carelessness, sometimes their peevishness: Their carelessness, in not observing the approaches of God, and how he worketh and breaketh in upon their hearts in the Word; so that the time of loves is not marked when it is present, nor remembered when it is past. As God said of Ephraim,